News in Brief:

Three military trained policemen were wounded when mortar shells fired by the Liberation Tigers hit a police defence bunker at Cheddikulam, 33 km North west of Vavuniya, at around 12.45 p.m. this afternoon.

Reinforcements were rushed to the spot from Thanthirimalai, 10 km. south west of Cheddikulam town.

Sri Lankan Army sources said that the attack was repulsed.

Meanwhile, electricity board sources said that the exchange of mortar fire damaged electricity cables in Cheddikulam resulting in a power failure in the Mannar district.

Food convoy to operate without escort

Mr. K.Ganesh, the Co-ordinator for food distribution in the Vanni and the Government Agent for Vavuniya said today that the Lorry Owners Union of the Kilinochchi district has informed him by letter that they have decided to operate the food convoy without the escort of the ICRC.

The union has stated in the letter that they were forced to depend on the escort of the ICRC for safety, as the situation was tense due to Operation Ranagosha III.

The letter has further pointed out that the outlets of the Multi Purpose Co-operative Society in the LTTE held areas are empty.

There is an acute shortage of milk products in the area as there had been a break down in the food distribution to the Vanni, said the letter.

Mr.Ganesh said that arrangements are underway to send 25 lorries in the convoy, for 6 days a week, commencing from Wednesday May 26.